George Miller Discusses the Intricate and Significant Application of Computer Graphics in Furiosa
Title: Behind the Scenes of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga's Epic Action Sequences
Wanna dig into the nitty-gritty of how the action sequences in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga were crafted? George Miller and his crew employed a clever blend of traditional filmmaking techniques and cutting-edge visual effects (VFX) to create the film's massive, pulse-pounding action sequences. Here's a breakdown:
locations and techniques
The shooting locations - Principal photography unfolded across New South Wales, Australia, with key spots including Broken Hill/Silverton, Hay, Kurnell, Terrey Hills, Melrose Park, and the Disney lot in Sydney[1][3].
The filming style - Contrasting Fury Road's rapid cuts and short takes, Miller opted for a different approach, even shooting full scenes in one take, such as the tense confrontation between Dementus, Jack, and Furiosa[1][3].
Visual Effects and Technology
VFX Supervision - Andrew Jackson, who also supervised Fury Road's visuals, returned for Furiosa and collaborated with renowned VFX studios like DNEG, Framestore, Metaphysic.ai, Rising Sun Pictures, and slatevfx to polish the film's visual spectrum[1][3].
CGI Integration - Expertly blending physical and digital worlds, visual effects were a core element of Furiosa's universe. The "Stowaway" action segment, for instance, featured VFX to animate The Octoboss's demise[1][3].
Practical vs. CGI - Seeking the perfect balance, CGI was used to bring dangerous stunts to life that would have been too treacherous with real vehicles, such as those death-defying motorbike side-swipes[1][3].
Background Replacement - Despite the wrath of New South Wales' weather, the ground and background in desert scenes were largely replaced with full CGI to maintain consistency with the post-apocalyptic aesthetic[1][3].
Digital Actor Integration
Facial Transition Technology - Machine learning (a non-generative form of AI) was employed to seamlessly blend the facial features of different actors. Rising Sun Pictures relied on this technology, for example, to merge Anya Taylor-Joy's face with that of Kiernan Browne, her younger counterpart playing Furiosa [1][3].
By melding practical filmmaking with advanced visual effects and AI technology, Miller and his crew expertly fashioned the awe-inspiring, large-scale action sequences in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. Catch the spectacle unfold in theaters on May 24!
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- According to the makers of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, key filming locations included Broken Hill/Silverton, Hay, Kurnell, Terrey Hills, Melrose Park, the Disney lot in Sydney, and other places in New South Wales, Australia.
- In contrast to Fury Road's quick cuts and short takes, George Miller chose to shoot full scenes in one take for Furiosa, as seen in the tense confrontation between Dementus, Jack, and Furiosa.
- For Furiosa, VFX supervisor Andrew Jackson partnered with top-tier VFX studios like DNEG, Framestore, Metaphysic.ai, Rising Sun Pictures, and slatevfx to ensure the film's visuals were of high quality.
- To perfectly blend practical effects with digital elements, the team used CGI for dangerous stunts that were too risky with real vehicles, such as the motorbike side-swipes, and also replaced the ground and background in desert scenes with full CGI to maintain consistency with the post-apocalyptic aesthetic.
